Atlanta Motor Speedway Friday second notes

RAGAN TO CORNER STEWART: With last week's on-track run-in with Tony Stewart
still fresh in his mind, David Ragan came to Atlanta with reconciliation on
his mind. Knowing that it might be hard to get Stewart alone, Ragan bid
$5,750 at Thursday ...

RAGAN TO CORNER STEWART: With last week's on-track run-in with Tony Stewart
still fresh in his mind, David Ragan came to Atlanta with reconciliation on
his mind. Knowing that it might be hard to get Stewart alone, Ragan bid
$5,750 at Thursday night's Speedway Children's Charities auction to buy the
pre-race ride around the track with Stewart.

"I've never spoken to Tony before; I'm kind
of happy he knows my name actually, but not for these reasons,"
Ragan said. "This will give us a chance to talk a little
bit."

Ragan, the son of former NASCAR driver Ken Ragan, triggered a
three-car wreck last weekend in Martinsville, taking out Ken Schrader and
Tony Stewart, angering both veterans. Stewart had a few choice words for
the young driver after the accident, and Ragan knows that he can't
start his career in NEXTEL Cup making enemies.

"Tony, he criticized me a lot after last week, and when a champion
does that, it's good to go talk to him," Ragan said. "I
think I'll ask him his thoughts, what I should have done different,
just introduce myself so that if I step out of line in the future
he'll come and talk to me about it."

Ragan was expected to attempt to qualify for both
Saturday's Easy Care Vehicle Service Contracts 200 Craftsman Truck
race and Sunday's Bass Pro Shops 500 NEXTEL Cup race, but NASCAR
did not approve him to compete in the upper level event. He is still
hopeful that he will be approved before next weekend's race in
Texas.

"I was disappointed, but at least I'll be running
the truck race here," Ragan said. "I'm happy; I'm
just 20 years old, and I'm here in the truck series."

***

JEFF SEABERG WINS PILOT TRUCK DRIVER CHALLENGE: Evernham Motorsports
hauler driver Jeff Seaberg, who steers the No. 10 Valvoline/Stanley Tools
Dodge to the track each week, was named the 2006 Pilot Truck Driver
Challenge winner Friday at AMS. Seaberg claimed his $50,000 check and
large trophy in front of a room full of his peers and a smattering of
media members.

"I was just an owner/operator six years ago, and a big
race fan," Seaberg said. "I never in a million years thought
I would be sitting here."

Seaberg claimed the title by acing a comprehensive test of
driving ability, alertness and dedication to his profession. The
competition included safety checks, spot quizzes and navigating through
driving courses.

"All you guys pull a lot of hours that none of us
do," said Scott Riggs, driver of the No. 10 machine that Seaberg
gets to the track safely each week. "You're the first to get
there and the last to leave. A lot of the time that goes unnoticed.
It's good to see you getting some recognition for all you
do."